Gaza - A new Palestinian study has revealed that anemia was
spreading among elementary stage schoolchildren in the Gaza Strip
reaching a percentage of 29.9%.

The study attributed the high percentage, which amounts to one third
of the total pupils, to the worsening political and economic
conditions in the Palestinian society due to the continuing Zionist
aggression, siege and starvation.

The study, by researcher Mahmoud Daher, won him the MA degree at Al-
Quds University Abu Dees.

The researcher pointed out that he collected information for his
research paper at the end of the second term of the school year 2001-
2002 when the political and economic conditions of the Palestinian
society were at its lowest ebb especially in the Gaza Strip.

He said that the study targeted measuring the spread of anemia among
elementary schoolchildren and checking the connection between anemia
and the students' social and economic changes.

Daher said that he chose a random sample of 204 pupils distributed
among various areas of the Strip whether in schools run by the
Palestinian Authority or UNRWA.

The researcher said he took blood samples from the students that
were examined at the PA public health's central laboratory while a
second test was made to a number of random blood samples to double
check results.

He noted that a questionnaire was distributed among students to
collect data on their social background, health conditions and
education.

He recalled that the percentage in the late nineties was 11%. He
then elaborated on the percentage in various districts of the Strip,
noting that Rafah had the highest such percentage with 40% followed
by Gaza city 33.3%, central areas 29.7%, northern Gaza 29.6% and
finally Khan Younis 14.8%.

Daher pointed out that anemia was spread more among children reared
by unemployed or limited income parents.

He also noted that children of working mothers were more liable to
suffer from anemia than children of housewives.

The researcher in conclusion recommended continuous efforts to
eliminate causes of health problems and malnutrition namely Zionist
occupation and its repressive measures and mass punishments. He
proposed launching surveys of other categories and launching a
national feeding program to support nutrition of schoolchildren in
addition to spreading public awareness on a number of health issues.
He also suggested adding iron to wheat.
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ISRAEL CLOSES 3 PALESTINIAN UNIVERSITIES
Jason Keyser, Associated Press, 1/6/03 http://abcnews.go.com/wire/World/ap20030106_844.html

Tel Aviv, Israel - In response to twin suicide bombings that killed
22 people, Israel decided Monday to close three Palestinian
universities, intensify raids against militants and bar Palestinian
officials from holding key meetings in the West Bank and abroad...

In the past, particularly deadly bombings have triggered large-scale
Israeli incursions in the West Bank, and hard-liners in Israel's
Cabinet have called for expelling Arafat. However, with an Israeli
election on the horizon, such a move was unlikely.

Instead, the security Cabinet decided Monday to close three
Palestinian universities as alleged hotbeds of incitement - a
measure Israel last took during the first Palestinian uprising,
which lasted from 1987 to 1993

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw told the British Broadcasting
Corp. that the attacks emphasize the need for political dialogue. "I
hope very much that the Israeli government will think again," he
said
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Time magazine's special year-end edition includes "Best Photos of
the Year," featuring 7 photos relating to the Mideast conflict. The
photos and captions reveal a pattern of bias, heavily suggesting
that Israel is the aggressor and Palestinians are the victims.

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Resolution on the Destruction of Palestinian Libraries, Archives,
and Other Cultural Institutions

WHEREAS, In the course of recent events in the Middle East,
Palestinian computers, photocopiers, books, audio recordings, video
recordings, data, institutional archives and records, and objects of
historical, cultural, and artistic importance were destroyed; and

WHEREAS, The destruction of these cultural resources represents a
significant loss for the Palestinian people and the world; and

WHEREAS, Palestinian libraries and cultural institutions are
urgently in need of restoration and assistance; and

WHEREAS, The American Library Association deplores the destruction
of library and cultural resources anywhere in the world; and,
therefore the destruction of these library and cultural resources;
and

WHEREAS, IFLA met in Jerusalem in 2000 and met with Palestinian
librarians and established a working relationship of cooperation;
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, that the American Library Association calls upon the
government of the United States, as well as other governments,
intergovernmental organizations and non governmental organizations
to prevent further destruction of libraries and cultural resources
and to provide material assistance for the reconstruction and
restoration of these resources; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the American Library Association take leadership in
recommending that IFLA establish a study group on Palestinian
libraries and cultural institutions, and establish a mechanism for
providing assistance to Palestinian libraries and cultural
institutions; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That the International Relations Committee of the American
Library Association is hereby charged with implementing this
resolution and will report back to Council at Midwinter 2003.

Adopted by the Council of the American Library Association June 19,
2002